An effective, quality system includes: Defining cleaning service requirements, implementing a quality plan, measuring performance, obtaining relevant feedback from the customer and committing to continual improvement.

ATP monitoring and quality systems

The results of an ATP test helps identify whether or not the cleaning organization is meeting the scope of work and performance expectations.

2. Service delivery

Service delivery includes all customer-related processes such as purchasing, staffing and handling unexpected events.

ATP monitoring and service delivery

ATP test results can help identify the need for staffing or workloading changes.

3. Human resources

From hiring to training to the actual delivery of service, an organization’s human resources — including both management and cleaning personnel — must be prepared to uphold the organization’s commitment to quality.

ATP monitoring and human resources

If an organization performs an ATP test, the results may show a need for additional employee training to ensure service delivery and commitment to quality.

4. Health, safety and environmental stewardship

This section addresses the processes, systems and documentation an organization needs to have in place to ensure the safety, health and sustainability of a facility.

ATP monitoring and health, safety and environmental stewardship

An ATP assessment can identify potential health risks if, for example, organic material is still present in high-touch areas.

It would show that those surfaces are not being cleaned properly to stop the spread of infection.

If an organization is lacking management commitment, all the other areas of the management system are not going to be as successful as they could be.

A Tool For Standardization

With a quality management system in place, an ATP monitor can help validate the effectiveness of the system.

Some organizations might think that an ATP monitor is the answer to the question, “Is it clean?”

But, I like to think of it as the answer to, “Do we have a quality management system in place, and is it being followed?”

Jim Peduto, a well-respected orator, consultant and strategist, is regarded as a visionary leader in the commercial cleaning industry. A Certified Building Service Exuctive (CBSE), he works with in-house operations and contract cleaners to improve operations and deliver measurable performance gains. Peduto is the president of Matrix Integrated Facility Management LLC, a company he founded in 1996, and the chief executive officer (CEO) of Shellville Facility Services, a division of Matrix. In 2000, Peduto became a co-founder of the American Institute for Cleaning Sciences (AICS), an independent, third-party evaluation and accreditation organization. AICS is the registrar for ISSA's Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) certification program. Visit www.ISSA.com/CIMS for more information about how CIMS can help you motivate employees, increase efficiencies and ensure consistent outcomes while promoting safety and wellbeing.